“So this means that creating some positive public opinion will indeed help big brother.”
“That’s what I think, but I’m not sure if my thoughts are right,” Qin Yining responded. “I just think that with public pressure, the emperor will surely ease the punishment since he still clings to the idea of a good reputation. Besides, he still has to use father to counter the Caos.”
“I think fourth sister’s idea will work.” Qin Han agreed enthusiastically.
Qin Yu tended to think more and was less of the sort to give suggestions directly. But after careful thought, he too nodded in agreement that Qin Yining’s plan made sense.
The third elder master rose to pace a few rounds and finally clapped his hands.
“Alright! Let’s do it this way then!” After careful thought, not only would this plan save Qin Huaiyuan, but it might even be useful to save the entire family in the future. The two elder masters had gotten used to relying on Qin Huaiyuan, so the absence of such a decision-maker was very uncomfortable. They had to get their big brother out of the dungeons first!
“Niece Yi, what are your plans for the refugees?”
The girl mused for a moment. “I’ll have people tell them that there are paying jobs at Ning Park. Whoever wants to go can go. I think that for people whose lives hang by a thread, it’s enough that they have a job, food to eat, and a roof over their heads.”
“So you don’t plan on putting them up for free.” The third elder master was surprised by the revelation.
Qin Yining was in turn startled by the reaction. “I’m just doing charity, not being their parents. Why would I put them up for free?”
Her uncle applauded loudly with a bark of laughter. “Good, good! You’re not overly concerned with building a good name for yourself, niece! Just like your third uncle! Hahaha!”
Qin Yining chuckled. “Since my third uncle and brothers think this will work, I’ll have people on it immediately.”
“Let me know how much silver you need for what you want to do.”
The fourth miss shook her head with a smile. “Third uncle, just to be safe, I’m not planning on using family silver. A small thought also occurred to me that I want to pass on. Perhaps you’d like to keep a close eye on the family business and set up a way out for everyone. Just in case.”
“Are you saying…”
“We shouldn’t have all of our eggs in one basket.” Qin Yining smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, third uncle. I don’t mean anything else by it. As for the refugees, if the plan works, say it was a family effort. If the emperor gets angry, then say it was my idea. I’ll discuss this plan with the grand steward of the Institute of Luminous Charm. I don’t plan on using any family resources in this.”
“Niece Yi…” The third elder master was so touched that his eyes grew hot.
Qin Yu also cast a contemplative look at his cousin. He was most concerned with self-preservation and his face burned when he saw how much a little girl was taking onto her shoulders. And in comparison to their uncle’s gratification and his older cousin’s shame, Qin Han laughed heartily in good humor.
“Alright! We’ll follow your plan, fourth sister.” He rose decisively. “We’re family, so let’s forgo empty pleasantries. Let me know whatever you need, fourth sister. Although I’m not the sharpest, I’m still good for errands!”
Qin Yining was closer with Qin Han and loved a forthright, warm hearted personality like his. Their closeness stemmed from the care he’d shown her on the initial journey home. So she responded candidly, “Thank you for your good intentions, second brother. But truly, if you don’t have anything pressing to do in the coming days, you should probably reduce the number of times you leave home.”
The girl turned to her uncle and other cousin. “There are plenty of eyes on us these days. Any small mistake we make can possibly be magnified. You’re men and so there are bound to be even more eyes on you when you walk around outside. It’ll be slightly better for me, a girl. But all of us need to be careful, even when we’re talking to each other at home. Don’t forget about that one.”
* * *
Chapter 187: Livid with Anger
Chapter 187: Livid with Anger
Naturally, everyone understood that she meant Concubine Cao. Although they didn’t know Cao Yuqing’s real identity, the fact that she was Grand Preceptor Cao’s daughter wouldn’t change.
The third elder master nodded. “Don’t worry. All of us are keeping that in mind.”
……
It’d only been two days, but Qin Yining had established clear order in the inner residence. Not only did she have a firm handle on all matters, but more importantly, she had unified the hearts of the womenfolk.
Panic had descended on the family when disaster befell Qin Huaiyuan. Even the men were apprehensive, much less the women. They were all anxious that they were about to follow the Suns’ footsteps. Who knew that Qin Yining would have everything under control with a few simple moves? None of the womenfolk were carrying-on or causing a fuss, and their mindsets had even solidified against a common enemy.
There was nothing about the fourth miss that the third elder master didn’t like now. Look at her bearing, sensibleness, perception of court affairs, and utter flair in handling things. He sighed mournfully that he didn’t have a daughter like her.
Qin Yining took her leave after discussions had been concluded. Grand Steward Zhong happened to arrive at this point and the two were able to carefully go over the miss’ plan.
“…the valuable plants and animals, furniture and decorations, as well as paintings and calligraphy… basically, sell everything that can be sold. We can use this sum of silver as seed money. Make sure to thoroughly record the refugees’ names, place of birth, whether or not they can read, previous profession, and what they’re most skilled at.
“The men should all be sent to wood chopping and house building for now. I can only supply a large plot of land. It’s up to them to make shelters. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of wood or water on Eternal Spring Mountain.
“The women can do embroidery and work in the kitchens. Two meals will be provided a day. Breakfast will be multi-grain porridge, flat bread, and pickled vegetables. Lunch can be provided appropriately. Those doing hard labor can receive two extra pieces of bread.”
Qin Yining cocked her head in thought. “And the children, make sure we make a detailed register of them and their health. Children are frail and we’re in the middle of a blazing summer. Water is becoming scarce because of the drought. It’s also tough to say if any will contract disease during their flee to safety. We need to pay attention to see if any of the children fall sick.
“Make sure we take down if any of the children can read and write. Children below ten should receive some extra rations of meat. Since it’s the mountain, anyone who can hunt can add to their plate.”
“Understood. This is a very thorough plan, miss. I think their own system will form naturally after these general guidelines are put in place. Also, I think we should become friendly with the local gangsters. There might be some refugees who cause trouble. If they do, we can ask the gangsters to be villains and stomp on the troublemakers. And, we should form a firefighting team, one that will make daily patrols. We’re in the mountains, after all,” Steward Zhong added.
Qin Yining nodded rapidly. “Those are great ideas, Grand Steward. Essentially, we should do the best we can since we’ve decided to help them. We’re preventing them from starving to death, but not live such a good life that they become lazy. With Steward Zhong at the helm, I think it’s even possible that some of them become our helpers in the future.”
The steward finally fully understood Qin Yining’s plan. His eyes sparkled at the miss. “You’re killing three birds with one stone, miss! You’re selling the items in the residence that the Great Zhou prince gifted you and turning it into a refugee shelter to one, save the Marquis of Anping and the Qins; second, to defuse some of the resentment against you
because of the prince and win praise; and third, to raise a group of helpers foremost loyal to you!”
“I’m actually not thinking that much.” Qin Yining was embarrassed. “I just want to save my father. Anything else is additional gain.”
“What additional gain? It’s all because you’re a good person, miss! This is karma!”
“What karma. I just want my father and family to be safe. I wonder how much suffering father’s enduring in the cells.” Qin Yining was frowning ferociously again.
“Don’t worry, miss. I’ve already thought of a way to pass things inside.”
Qin Yining started and flashed a gratified smile. “Thank you for your effort, Steward Zhong! Apologies for putting you in a risky position.”
“Now what kind of words are those, miss? The Institute has a wide network. This was easily taken care of with a bit of silver and flapping some lips. It was nothing.” Steward Zhong waved off the thanks with a broad grin.
The answer brought an answering smile to Qin Yining’s face. “There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about. Things are very chaotic at court these days. You might want to think of a back-up plan. You have a large family, after all.”
Who’d ever seen a mistress worry about her servants’ safety? A sincere smile crossed Steward Zhong’s face. “Right, don’t worry, miss. I’ll make the proper arrangements. Besides, I have sons. I can leave all that to them. I should spend most of my attention on our important matters.”
“I’ve very grateful for your efforts.” Qin Yining thanked with exceedingly polite tones.
The two chatted for a while longer before the grand steward excused him to go back to the day’s work.
Qin Yining had done everything she could do. She exhaled relaxedly. She just needed to wait for good results now.
The steward was strikingly efficient and an expert at using the right people. Thanks to his many helpers, much of the valuables within Ning Park found new homes after two days, resulting in a sum that was five times the value of all of the Institute’s assets.
Steward Zhong clucked his tongue as he counted the money and went over the accounts. The Faithful Prince of First Rank really went to huge effort to please the owner!
What he didn’t know was that Grand Preceptor Cao had initially gifted the residence to the Tatar princess, who’d in turn gifted it to Pang Xiao. Pang Xiao had only regifted it to Qin Yining. So all of these transactions were a sale of Cao assets! It was an unanticipated conversion of Cao silver to Qin Yining’s pockets.
Steward Zhong naturally didn’t know how furious Grand Preceptor Cao was. When he heard that the Qins were gaining a good name due to selling the valuables in Ning Park for the refugees, the grand preceptor almost fainted from the rush of blood to his head. Qin Huaiyuan’s an old fox and Qin Yining a young one! Both of them should die!
He’d just regained his position and his place in the emperor’s heart was far from before. But all the same, he’d been seized with glee when he saw Qin Huaiyuan stripped of his court robes and thrown into the dungeons.
“It serves Qin Meng right to end up like this!” Grand Preceptor Cao chuckled lowly and toyed leisurely with a blue and white porcelain teacup lid. “I’d once thought that we could form an alliance after he became my son-in-law. A marriage always draws families closer, and we would’ve been able to help each other at court. If the Caos were allied with the Qins, we would truly be unstoppable. Who would be able to shake our foundations then? But Qin Meng completely refused to listen to me and was even the first to jump out against me. What a complete and utter fool who didn’t understand the favor he had!”
Off to the side, the empress was dressed in bright red court robes, a silk wrap draped around her, and a gold dangle swaying with each movement of her lowered head. The effect further highlighted the daintiness of her face. She tapped the table with lacquered nails and care pensively, “It’s not that this seat is over thinking things, but you need to exercise great effort in this matter, father.
"Maybe the emperor already knew of our connection with the Tatars, given his request to have you contact them. I’ve been uneasy by the emperor’s side these days. I’m worried that he’s discovered something and is keeping it to himself for now. It really troubles me.”
“Your Majesty speaks truly,” the grand preceptor agreed. “But don’t fret too much. With Great Zhou’s armies threatening our borders, the emperor has to rely on me. I know what I’m doing with the Tatars.”
“That’s good. I’ll pay attention to the emperor’s mood and try to sway him at appropriate times. But that slut Qin Yining really needs to die! How dare she use father’s things to win favors and a good name for herself? And those idiotic peasants don’t even think of who those things used to belong to!” The empress gnashed her teeth.
“That little bitch was born to be a thorn in my side! She sheltered the damn Tang girl, builds a close relationship with Pang, protects the unlucky Sun widows, and now even openly challenges us! I wasn’t able to slice and dice her last time because the Soothsayer tricked me, but are we supposed to just let her have her way like this??”
* * *
Chapter 188: Hearts Together
Chapter 188: Hearts Together
The grand preceptor waved a hand comfortingly. “Don’t be irritated, Your Majesty. I have my plans. I’ve dominated the political scene for decades, will I be less than a little girl? We’ll let her gloat for a few days. When she gets too full of herself, there’ll be only tears left for her.”
“I don’t want her tears, I want her death!” The empress sniffed and ground her teeth.
The grand preceptor smiled slightly in response, the wrinkles by his eyes and lips proclaiming his confidence. The empress also smiled proudly when she saw how her father was.
……
Grand Steward Zhong had started settling in the refugees. Although the precious flora and fauna in the residence hadn’t been sold off yet, the refugees couldn’t wait any longer. Besides, he also wanted them to see just what Qin Yining was giving up in order to save them.
On this particular day, the steward paid a visit to the refugee shelters with his men, introducing himself as the Qin fourth miss’ secretary.
The refugees were deep in the throes of despair. They’d slept on the streets for five days and only had a bowl of thin porridge to eat every day. There wasn’t any place they could stay to get out of the wind; bugs and mosquitoes feasted on them at night. Some of children were feverish, but none of the adults or children even had strength enough to cry. It was a scene of heartbreaking suffering.
When they heard that the daughter of the Marquis of Anping had jobs for them, that they could feed themselves with honest labor, and live peaceful lives… well! Wasn’t this their lives before?
Hope dawned for the despondent folk and everyone scrambled to answer the announcement, apart from the minority who was too lazy for labor and wanted to wait out the war with the supplied welfare. Most headed over to Ning Park to work for the Qin fourth miss.
When they followed Steward Zhong to Ning Park, the people were all stunned silly. They’d never seen such an opulent and lavish residence. Even though it was empty now, the palatial main residence still stood. The hot spring was still bubbling and the exotic plants and animals still present. The sight was an incredibly strong visual impact.
“S-sir, did your miss really did sell everything she could here to feed and clothe us?” a sixty-year-old elder stammered.
Steward Zhong sighed. “That she did. The only things left to sell are the plants in the yard. It’s not like we can tear down the house. All the decorations and furniture inside were sold a long time ago. Where else would we get the silver to cook porridge and some other dishes? My lord is a clean official and the miss a girl of the inner residence. Their wealth is limited and this is the extent of the aid they can give. I hope you all don’t find it lacking.”
“Of course not! We’re so utterly grateful for this.”
/> “That’s right! The Qin fourth miss is a living Buddha!”
“Duh. The Qin fourth miss is the daughter of Wise Pan An. She helped out with the peace talks before, and then that, that Soothsayer said that she has a great life chart, that she can protect our country!”
The refugees chattered interestedly amongst themselves, feeling immense gratitude towards Qin Huaiyuan, Qin Yining, and all of Anping Manor for their kind gesture. But when they thought how someone so nice was locked in the dungeons, they felt inordinately angry. They cursed the emperor and trampress between clenched teeth.
If resentment could kill, the dog emperor and the trampress would’ve died many times over by now.
Steward Zhong was very pleased by their reaction. “Our miss has limited servants to use and she’s still busy with bringing food, mats, and others up the mountain. She’s also looking for pots and pans and all the other bits and things needed for living. She also had people look for doctors and medicine for the children, so she really doesn’t have anyone she can send out to help build houses for everyone.”
“Oh that’s nothing! We’ll have plenty of energy if we have food to eat. We can make the rest ourselves.”
Steward Zhong smiled and pointed at the palatial residence behind him. “But the miss did say that you can live in the house over there. The elderly, women, children, and sickly should get priority. You can build houses as you wish in the yard. There’s a hot spring up on the mountain if you want to bathe and drinking water as well. Use it all however you like.”
“Really?? The fourth miss is really letting us use such a nice house?” A young man asked in surprise.
A brawny man chortled beside him. “What kind of stupid question is that? She’s already sold all the nice things inside the house so we have food to eat. Would she not be willing to let us live in the house after all that? The fourth miss is such a kind person!”
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